New Red Light Law Takes Effect in Pennsylvania

Yesterday, a new red light law went into effect in Pennsylvania.  Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers have done a breakdown of what the new law means and how it applies to you.

Under the new law, drivers may go through a red light under certain circumstances. For instance, if the light appears to be broken, or if the sensor appears to be malfunctioning, drivers may legally pass through the light.

The law was originally created with motorcyclists in mind. In many cases, traffic lights are activated by sensors under the pavement that detect when a car approaches an intersection and trigger the light to turn green. Unfortunately, the sensors don’t always pick up on motorcycles, and so the light does not change. The new law aims to offer a practical solution to this problem.

Red light law and safety

Some people have expressed safety concerns regarding the new red light law. […]

What’s between a close call and a crash? Your brakes

3 ways to check the status of your brakes

What does that sound mean? An unusual noise is one of the most common signs that your brakes may need attention.

According to AAA, your brakes are the most important safety system on your vehicle. It’s true that a properly working brake system can mean the difference between a close call and a crash. Over time, brake systems become worn and brakes just don’t work like they did when they were new. Regular brake inspection and maintenance can help keep them in good working order and keep you safer.

How to tell if something’s wrong with your brakes

1. Listen – Does your car make a grinding or scraping noise when you apply the brakes? If so, take it in for an inspection immediately. That sound can be a sign that your brake pads need replacing. […]

Help prevent a traffic jam this Labor Day weekend

If you are traveling this Labor Day weekend, you may be bracing yourself for an inevitable traffic jam. Nothing kills your excitement for a long weekend like getting stuck in stop-and-go traffic. And, Labor Day is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. That also makes it one of the most dangerous.  Crowded highways and frustrated drivers can make a deadly combination.

Analysts expect this year to be especially busy, with the lowest Labor Day weekend gas prices since 2004. With these numbers in mind, the National Safety Council estimates that 483 will die on the roads this weekend.

Here are some weekend travel tips to make your road trip a little easier.

How to help prevent traffic jams and car accidents

Did you know – not every traffic jam is caused by  a car accident or road work. […]

Traffic Deaths Continue to Rise in 2015, 2016

Traffic deaths in the U.S. are rising at an alarming rate.

In 2015, fatal car crashes increased 7.2% from the previous year. And, preliminary numbers for the first half of 2016 show a 9% increase over the same period last year.

So far this year, more than 19,000 people have lost their lives in car crashes, and an additional 2.2 million have suffered injuries. Given these numbers, the National Safety Council estimates that this year could be the deadliest Labor Day weekend in 8 years.

Why are fatal accidents up so much, and what can we do about it?

On one hand, cars are getting safer. Safety equipment and technology have improved remarkably over the last decade, with many life-saving features now standard on new models. Yet traffic deaths continue to climb.

According to National Safety Council CEO Deborah Hersman,  […]

Self-driving cars may be here sooner than expected

The future of self-driving cars may arrive sooner than expected.

Ford said last week that the company plans to mass-produce fully autonomous vehicles by 2021.

Other automakers and tech companies have begun testing self-driving cars  that provide a level of autonomy, within limits, while still allowing the driver to take over if necessary. These kinds of vehicles are equipped with an “autopilot” mode, or crash-avoidance technology.

The cars Ford expects to introduce in the next five years, however,  will be truly driverless, and will have no steering wheel, gas pedal, or brake pedal.

Self-Driving Cars and Safety

Ford proposes that these vehicles will revolutionize transportation and improve safety on the road. Critics of self-driving cars are concerned that there are factors that an autonomous vehicle simply cannot predict or respond to, and that the technology may be vulnerable to glitches or hacking. […]

How effective are night driving restrictions for teens?

Most nighttime accidents among teens occur before midnight, a new study shows. This means that night driving restrictions on teens that prohibit driving after midnight may be ineffective.

Driving in the dark increases crash risk for all drivers.  Young and inexperienced drivers face an even greater risk; one-third of fatal teen car crashes happen at night. That’s why every state in the U.S. (except VT) has laws restricting how late newly licensed teen drivers can be on the road unsupervised. In 23 states and the District of Columbia, the ban goes into effect at midnight or later. New research by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that this is too late.

Ruth Shuts, a researcher at the CDC, suggests 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. might be a more appropriate curfew for unsupervised newly licensed drivers. […]

Drivers Beware – Pokemon Go is Driving People to Distraction

Pokemon Go is taking over.

If you haven’t already heard, Pokemon Go is an enormously popular new augmented reality gaming app that uses players’ GPS and smartphone camera to allow users to explore their real-life environments to capture virtual creatures.  Launched about a week ago, it has already been downloaded by 7.5 million people. It surpassed Tinder as the #1 most downloaded app on iTunes,  and is getting more usage time than any social media platform.

If distracted driving wasn’t enough of a problem already…

The game has been praised for getting people outside, moving around, and interacting with other users in real life. However, the game can be highly distracting. There have already been reports of people falling, walking into walls, and being robbed while trying to catch Pokemon. Safety officials have issued warnings, urging players to “look up once in a while.” […]

The 4th of July Ranks #1 for Deadly Crashes – Travel Safely!

July 4th statistics show a drastic increase in fatal car accident probability

No matter what your 4th of July plans include, take extra care over the holiday weekend!

The 4th of July ranks #1 in an IIHS study of deadly crashes per day between 2010-2014 (see below for the list of the top 10 deadliest days). Millions of travelers on the road increase the risk for a car accident, especially because many of those travelers will be navigating unfamiliar areas. This year, AAA forecasts that a record number of Americans will travel by car over the holiday.

And, it’s not just drivers who face a higher risk on the road – Independence Day is the deadliest day of the year for motorcyclists as well. The chance of a motorcycle crash doubles on July 4, […]

Summer Car Care Tips

Just as in winter, driving in the summer has its own set of potential problems. Summer heat, long road trips, and stop-and-go traffic can be tough on your car or truck.

To help avoid getting into a car accident or getting stranded in the heat, follow these easy summer car care tips.

1. Check your fluids, including oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid. Coolant (or antifreeze) is especially important to be aware of during the summer months, as overheating is one of the top causes of summer breakdowns. Because many people do more traveling during the summer, it may be necessary to get your oil and filter changed more often. A good rule of thumb is every 3,000 miles. If your fluids aren’t checked and filled regularly, you could end up broken down on the highway in the heat.

2. […]

The 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers Have Begun

Memorial Day marks the start of the 100 most dangerous for teen drivers

The 100 deadliest days for teen drivers have begun.

Beginning on Memorial Day, the summer months mark the “100 deadliest days” for teen drivers in the U.S. According to AAA: The average number of deaths from crashes involving teen drivers ages 16-19 increased by 16 percent per day compared to other days of the year.

Several factors combine to create these dangerous conditions. When school is out, teenagers have more free time and drive more often. It is also a celebratory time, as prom and high school graduation tend to see an increase in fatal car crashes involving teenagers. These celebrations will often include underage drinking, drug use, and late-night driving – all factors tied to fatal accidents. Texting and use of social media behind the wheel is another disturbing and unnecessary trend contributing to fatal crashes at an unprecedented rate. […]

Teen in jail, Snapchat speed filter blamed for 107 MPH crash

A 19-year-old girl is in jail after allegedly causing a 107 MPH car crash outside of Atlanta, GA, while using Snapchat to record her speed.

Snapchat has a filter that allows users to record how fast they’re traveling when they take photos or videos with the app.

As personal injury lawyers who handle car accidents on a daily basis, we can’t help but see the Snapchat speed filter as inherently dangerous, and as an accident waiting to happen. In a society already marred by distracted driving, this filter seems to contradict every effort to deter cell phone use behind the wheel. While representatives of the app claim that the speed filter includes a warning not to use it while driving, that seems contradictory to its very function and offers little comfort to the families of those who have been hurt in other accidents involving a speeding, […]

Fatal Hit and Run Accidents on the Rise in Philadelphia

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, hit and run accidents in the city have reached almost epidemic levels in recent months.

Nonfatal hit and run incidents have increased by 30%, while fatal hit and runs have gone up 55% compared to this time last year.

The most recent fatal hit and run in Philadelphia took the life of 18-year-old Kevin Maldonado, who was struck by a woman driving a stolen white Toyota Prius. After hitting Maldonado, the woman abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Incidents like this one leave many people wondering how someone can run from the scene of an accident and leave a person to die. In 2014, Pennsylvania law was amended to ensure that the minimum legal penalty for fleeing the scene of an accident would be the same as the minimum sentence for DUI, […]

Don’t Call it a Car “Accident”

Safety advocates are trying to change the way we talk about motor vehicle crashes.

Mark Rosekind, head of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration said that the term car “accident” implies that it was no one’s fault, it could not have been prevented or foreseen.

In reality, more than 90% of collisions are caused by driver error – drinking, distracted driving, speeding, and other risky behavior. Relatively few are true “accidents,” caused by uncontrollable situations like a mechanical malfunction, icy roads, or other factors.

So what difference does it make? Why does it matter what word we use to describe these incidents? Road fatalities are on the rise. Safety officials, lawmakers, and aggrieved families feel strongly that language reflects our attitudes, which affect policy. When the language we use implies that nothing could have been done to prevent a tragic “accident,” […]

“Textalyzer” Could Help Reduce Distracted Driving

Distracted driving, perhaps the biggest road safety scourge of the decade, is getting worse nationwide.

In Pennsylvania, for instance, distracted driving citations increased by 43% from 2014 to 2015; in our home of Lackawanna County, the number of distracted driving citations skyrocketed from 32 to 115, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune.

Last week, our own Dan Munley was quoted about a recent case in which a Lawrence County judge ruled that a person texting a distracted driver who then got into a crash could potentially be held accountable.

In order to combat this growing problem, some safety advocates have suggested that we begin viewing distracted driving the same way we view drunk driving.  While distracted driving does not involve the consumption of an intoxicating substance, distraction can impair your driving ability just as much as alcohol, and it is just as dangerous. […]

Distracted Driving with Pets

There are lots of pet owners among us here at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, so we know that dogs can be the best of companions. But, driving with pets in tow can lead to distracted driving accidents.

Over half of all pet owners report bringing their pet for a car ride at least once a month, and one-third of pet owners do so at least once a week. When bringing your furry friend along for the ride, it’s important to keep safety in mind in order to protect you, your passengers, other motorists, and your pet, too.

According to AAA, some common distracted driving behaviors that pet owners are guilty of include: petting their dog, using hands or arms to restrict dog’s movement or hold dog in place when putting on brakes, using hands/arms to keep dog from climbing from the backseat to the front seat,  […]

The hashtag #whiledriving shows a disturbing trend

One of the more idiotic and dangerous trends to develop recently is the hashtag #whiledriving.

Erie Insurance, a Pennsylvania insurance company,  published a study of social media data showing a surge in the use of the hashtag, reflecting a growing number of drivers who pull out their phones, take a picture, and post it to Twitter and Instagram – all while driving. Most of the posts were photos of nature, clouds, a sunset, traffic, and selfies.

The top U.S. states with the most posts using #whiledriving were:

1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. South Carolina
5. New York
6. Illinois
7. Massachusetts
8. Oregon
9. Colorado
10. Nevada

No selfie or picture of the sunset is worth putting your life or someone else’s life in danger. […]

Your Winter Car Care Checklist

Winter can be rough on drivers. Winter weather can create hazardous driving conditions, and the cold can wreak havoc on your vehicle, even making it dangerous to drive. Fortunately, there are some measures you can take to keep your car running and prevent a winter weather accident. This is your winter car care checklist:

1. Your Battery

When the temperature dips below freezing, it can take twice as much power to start your car than in warmer weather. If your battery is more than three years old, or if you notice your engine is slow to start, consider replacing your battery. If you’re not sure of the condition your battery is in, make a trip to a local mechanic or auto parts store and have it tested. Breaking down on the side of the road or being stranded because of a dead battery in the winter is not only extremely unpleasant, […]

2016 Top Safety Picks Announced with Toughest Criteria Ever

More car models awarded top safety pick despite most rigorous requirements yet

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released their 2016 Top Safety Picks. The results spell good news for prospective car buyers: for the second year in a row, more vehicles earned Top Safety Pick Plus ratings, even as the institute raised their standards and requirements.

More than 20 winners of the last year’s Top Safety Pick award don’t qualify under the 2016 criteria. But, even with the tougher standards, more vehicles earned the top rankings – 48 models were named Top Safety Pick Plus, up from 33 models last year.

Honda, Toyota, VW/Audi, and Subaru Dominate the Top Rankings

See the complete list of 2016 winners here. Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen/Audi, and Subaru are the automakers with the most Top Safety Picks in this year’s list.

Raising the Bar

The new criteria for earning a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus rating include small overlap crash test performance (designed to see how vehicles handle a front-end diagonal impact), […]

Avoiding a Thanksgiving Travel Nightmare

Tips to stay safe during your Thanksgiving road trip

If you’re one of the millions of people expected to be traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, here are some tips to make it a less stressful experience.

Thanksgiving is a notoriously busy travel time, with approximately one in seven Americans traveling more than 50 miles, and 90% of them going by car. With no major storms poised to hit our area and gas prices at their lowest in years, the roads are bound to be busy for PA drivers. Holiday travel can be stressful, and can, therefore, be a dangerous time to be on the roads. Our car accident lawyers want to share some safe travel tips:

Planning ahead can make a big difference. If possible, leave before Wednesday, and consider making your return trip on a day other than Sunday. […]

Hands-free tech safer than texting while driving?

Think hands-free, voice-activated tech eliminates driver distraction? Not so much.

It is universally known that driving while texting, using a cell phone, a GPS, or any other activity that takes your hands from the wheel and your eyes from the road is dangerous and can be fatal. Hands-free technology has been pitched to consumers as a safer alternative, allowing the user to complete tasks via voice commands while still keeping his/her hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. These types of voice-activated systems are available on most iOS, Android, and Microsoft smartphones and in many new car models.

But, a recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a non profit safety research group, found that use of a hands free system could be just as distracting as the use of a handheld device. In fact, they found that a driver’s attention can be partially diverted for up to 27 seconds AFTER interacting with a hands-free system. […]